The Pluractional Marker ‑Pödï of Akawaio (Cariban) and Beyond

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to give a comprehensive description of the suffix ‑pödï of Akawaio (Cariban, Venezuelan). In particular, we aim to investigate the functions that this marker can express and the grammatical status that it has in the grammar of Akawaio. This is a challenge because ‑pödï shows broad multifunctionality that has not yet been fully explored. A review of the typological phenomenon of pluractionality suggests that all the functions of this suffix can be captured within the pluractional conceptual space. In addition to mapping the functions of ‑pödï into the pluractional space, we also identify additional morphology that explains the absence of ‑pödï in the other typical pluractional functions. Finally, we give an overview of pluractional markers in other Cariban languages, with particular reference to Kari’nja.